Hello everyone! In this article, I’ll be shining a spotlight on my recent watch acquisition, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80.
This is essentially a series where I shine a spotlight on my personal purchases. I’ve previously done similar articles, the most recent of which were on my Kurono Tokyo Toki, IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince and TAG Heuer Monaco CAW211B. Today, I’ll be showcasing a more affordable purchase – the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80.
When the Tissot PRX first came out as a quartz model earlier this year, it was met with near-universal acclaim. Reviewers praised its finishing, as well as the low price point – it was quite possibly the best value-for-money integrated sports watch on the market. Naturally, when news broke that Tissot will be introducing an automatic variant later in the year, it was such a highly anticipated release that – for once – there was (and possibly still is) a waiting list for the PRX Powermatic 80, with the blue dial model being especially popular.
In fact, the PRX Powermatic 80 was so hyped that it actually put me off the watch – it seemed like every collector was getting one, and I didn’t want to appear “mainstream” by following suit. However, I kept seeing fabulous photos of it on Instagram, which gradually persuaded me to purchase one. My friends at H2 Hub were able to allocate me the desired blue dial model, and I was sold (literally) the moment I first saw it in the metal.
For one, the blue dial is eminently striking, and morphs under different lighting conditions. Some may find the tapisserie pattern too akin to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – arguably the most iconic Swiss integrated bracelet sports watch – but I’m personally fine with that. While a brand can be known for a particular dial pattern, I don’t think it’s fair to say they own said pattern, and to accuse other brands who use similar patterns to be mere homages is simply being disingenuous. That would be akin to labelling every dress watch with a guilloche dial as knock-off Breguets, or any dive watch with a sandwich dial to be Panerai copies. For what it’s worth, I appreciate Tissot bringing the tapisserie dial to the masses – I can finally own one without forking out an arm and leg for it.
Of course, one can’t expect the PRX Powermatic 80 to have the same refinement as the Royal Oak. The tapisserie dial is nowhere as well finished, while the applied stick indices are brushed simply. But at a literal fraction of the price, this is to be expected. Given that the PRX Powermatic 80 is mass-produced and has a sub-S$1000 price point, I would say that this is good enough – similar in quality to comparably priced Seiko/Hamilton/Mido watches.
Where the PRX Powermatic 80 really shines is in the finishing of its case and bracelet. Satin-brushed on the front with polished facets running along its sides, the juxtaposition of brushed and polished surfaces is a sight to behold, especially under sunlight. It’s easily the best looking bracelet that I’ve seen at the sub-S$1000 price point, and I’ll say it’s comparable in quality to the pricier Maurice Lacroix Aikon – though still some way off the Royal Oak.
The bracelet features a butterfly deployant clasp, which is operated by pressing the side buttons. I love how integrated the clasp is, which results in a seamless aesthetic. The engraved Tissot name is a nice touch too, and elevates the overall look and feel of the bracelet.
Another highlight of the watch is the Powermatic 80 movement beating within. Sharing the same base architecture as an ETA 2824, the movement has a reduced beat rate of 3 Hz, which allows it to double the power reserve to a staggering 80 hours. It also has a Nivachron balance spring, which offers increased timekeeping accuracy due to higher resistance to magnetism, temperature fluctuations, and shock. In other words, it’s a technically impressive movement, and perhaps the best one can find under S$1000. The icing on the cake? There’s even an exhibition caseback for you to admire the movement in its entirety.
Despite the automatic movement beating within, the case remains relatively svelte at just 10.9mm thick – that’s a mere 0.5mm thicker than the quartz PRX! I’ve no idea how Tissot managed to pull that off, but the end result is a watch that wears fabulously thin on the wrist. There’s also a lovely signed crown, which is not always a detail present on watches at this price point.
All in all, I really like my Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. There are a lot of “hyped” watches on the market currently, but this is one that absolutely deserves the attention. It’s undoubtedly the best integrated sports watch in the sub-S$1000 price point. It looks good, wears comfortably on the wrist, and is powered by an impressive movement. Above all, I like what it represents – a well-made integrated sports watch that doesn’t cost more than your child’s university education. And it should be noted that Tissot has a long history of watchmaking and a reputation for reliability, so it doesn’t feel like I’m settling for less. The PRX Powermatic 80 is the brand’s best offering in recent memory, and if the rumours about a smaller 37mm model are true, I wouldn’t be surprised if the PRX eventually becomes an icon in its own right.
For more, visit Tissot’s website here.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 – Video Review
For those interested in seeing some hands-on footage of the watch, do watch my Youtube review of the PRX Powermatic 80 below:
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P.S.S.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
